Dickson Middle starts season off strong

DICKSON – Battle Creek, a new middle school playing in its first-ever football game, traveled to Dickson Middle on Thursday night, and the Dragons got their season started off with a bang. The Dragons defeated Battle Creek 28-14 with strong performances from their running backs and defense.

“I thought it was good for our first game because we haven’t hit anybody yet,” Dickson coach Larry Proffitt said. “We had to cancel a scrimmage, and we didn’t get to do any jamborees, so this is the first game we’ve had a chance to hit another football team. Our defense only gave up one first down. I’m excited. It makes this season feel a lot more promising.”

Dickson quarterback Ray Dotson threw for two touchdowns, including a screen pass to Demarcus Springer that turned into a 45-yard touchdown on the first play of the game. Dotson’s second passing touchdown came close to the end of the first half as the Dragons faced a third-and-12 situation. Dotson tossed a back-shoulder throw to receiver Chaseton Dixon for the score.

“That go-route was the best ball (Dotson) threw all night,” Proffitt added. “Dixon made a great play on the ball in the air.

“Demarcus had a great night as well, he’s a playmaker. Him and Nick (Street), our two tailbacks, are both playmakers. They still have a few things to clean up, we have to get the ball high and tight and make sure we don’t run backwards. We had one play tonight that went for a touchdown, but if we play a team with better speed, that might have been a five-yard loss, so we have to stick with our plays.”

The Dragon defense allowed only one touchdown, but Battle Creek scored twice – once on a fumbled snap and once late in the game on offense. Isaiah Daniel was a constant force on the defensive line along with Kevin Davis, who made two tackles on weak-side sweep runs.

Proffitt said he saw the late score as a learning experience for some of his younger players. He plans to use that as a “teachable moment” so his players can improve next time.

“You’ve got to get young kids in there – that’s how you build the program,” Proffitt exclaimed. “That’s where we can get them in there and say, ‘Hey, that’s where we need to pay more attention when practice comes around.’

“But overall, I’m really proud of them from an effort standpoint. I’m kind of excited and that’s what I want to see from these kids. I love seeing kids excited about football.”

The Dragons travel to Columbia next week to take on E.A. Cox Middle at 6:30 p.m.